Description: Sally Cornelison draws upon contemporary visual, literary, and archival sources and diverse methodologies to interpret how the persona of St. Antoninus and the intercessory effectiveness of his relic cult were advertised to a broad audience of viewers and devotees during the Renaissance. Tracing the history of St. Antoninus' burial sites from 1459 until 1589, this interdisciplinary study demonstrates that the saint's cult was a key element of Florence's sacred cityscape.
Review Quotes:
'In this finely produced, eloquent, and meticulously researched volume Sally J. Cornelison draws together a wealth of archival and rare materials to trace the development of Antoninus's relic cult from his death to the completion of the St. Antoninus chapel in San Marco in 1591, designed by Giambologna and financed by the Salviati family, clients of the Medici.' Catholic Historical Review
'Overall, this is an admirably detailed and clearly-written account of a Florentine cult and monument that have long deserved monographic treatment; it will be a standard art-historical reference for anyone wanting to understand the saint's history and that of his legacy.' Meredith J. Gill, Associate Professor, Italian Renaissance, Art Department of Art History and Archaeology, University of Maryland, College Park
'Cornelison's study admirably achieves its proposed objective of placing the commission of the Salviati chapel in the larger context of Renaissance devotion to Antoninus. In doing so, Art and the Relic Cult of St. Antoninus in Renaissance Florence brings new light to a deeply underestimated artistic complex and its interlaced figurative program.' Caa.Reviews
'One of the goals of the book was to rehabilitate the significance of St. Antoninus' cult. In this it succeeds. Moreover, it gives us the most comprehensive and substantial description of the sixteenth century chapel until now. Even though Cornelison approaches the subject from the perspective of the Antoninus' cult, she delivers a balanced story, considering all aspects, from the saint's life and cult, to the patrons and the artists.' Journal für Kunstgeschichte
'The successful integration of the artistic, religious, and political components of the Antoninus cult and its display make this a most illuminating and satisfying work-it is recommended reading.' Sixteenth Century Journal
'...excellent volume... The author achieves her objective through the perspicacious reading and interpretation of a wide variety of visual and textual sources, presented in the numerous illustrations and listed in the ample bibliography.' Burlington Magazine
'... stunning book... a fine addition to Ashgate's Visual Culture in Early Modernity Series, and it will be an equally fine addition to the bookshelf of any serious art lover or anyone interested in exploring the power of myth and memory.' Jung Journal: Culture & Psyche